The site you choose must provide the type of environment necessary for your plant to establish itself and thrive. The site selection must either protect from damaging winds, shallow rooted trees, reflected heat from wooden or masonry walls, fences and buildings, or under a roof overhang where watering is a problem or in areas too shaded to produce blooms.

Determine the surface and sub-surface drainage. Dig a hole, fill it with water and see how long it takes the water to disappear. Rhododendrons and azaleas will not do well in poorly drained soils. Too much water displaces all of the oxygen in the soil and the roots literally suffocate and rot. To correct poorly drained areas, build up the area with good soils directly on top of the existing poor soil.